The time has come to make our picks for the NFL playoffs. Some do this at the beginning of a season, which is dicey and mostly an exercise in futility and tomfoolery. (That doesn’t keep me from joining them occasionally, of course.)

Now that we know who the participants in the 2010 NFL Playoffs are, and where the odds-makers have set the odds, we can make an intelligent, informed prediction as to each game’s outcome. I would tell you to step right up and place your bets, but I advise you to keep your money in your pocket or invest it in your family. That way, you can enjoy the games, cheer for the team you like best, and enjoy the pure thrill of competition.

Still, the odds are in and the verdict is still out. So, here goes nothing. (“Nothing” is pretty much what predictions amount to…or nothing much, anyway.)

In the table below, I am making my picks. The winner is highlighted in bold. My pick against the line is underlined. (for example, I like New Orleans to win, but Seattle to cover, thus New Orleans is bold and Seattle is underlined.) The over/under is indicated by the ↑ and ↓ arrow. If you cannot figure out which arrow means which, please stay away from all sharp objects.

Date

Favorite

Line

Underdog

Over/Under

1/8

New Orleans

-10

@ Seattle

44.5 ↑

1/8

@ Indianapolis

-2.5

NY Jets

44.5 ↓

1/9

Baltimore

-3

@Kansas City

40.5 ↓

1/9

@ Philadelphia

-2.5

Green Bay

46.5 ↑

These are my picks for the wild card round of the NFL playoffs. Next week, we will revisit the picks to see how I did. I will also make my picks for the divisional round at that time.

If you have a different idea about how things will come out, use the comments section of this article, and let’s hear your thoughts on the matter.

Gene has been an avid Dallas Cowboys fan for nearly five decades, which amounts to just about his entire life. The only time he was not a Cowboys fan was that brief period at the beginning of his life, when he didn't have all his baby teeth and could not yet say "Cowboys." As soon as quit slobbering, he started hollering, "Go Cowboys!"